The timeframe for public submissions on a bill to allow an equal number of Māori seats and general seats for Rotorua Lakes Council has been extended after criticism about the rushed process.
Submissions for the bill were initially only open for two weeks about 1400 had been received before it closed on Thursday – but on Thursday morning the Māori Affairs Select Committee agreed to a motion by National Party MPs to extend it for a further two weeks until May 4.
The bill was prepared by the council to allow it to have an equal number of Māori ward and general ward seats – which is not allowed under the Local Electoral Act formula that sets the number of Māori ward seats based on population size.
It is opposed by the National and Act parties, who claim the Government is trying to "sneak through" a significant change to electoral law which will alter the one-person, one vote principle.
The Rotorua District Council (Representation Arrangements) Bill's sponsor is Labour MP Tamati Coffey, who also chairs the Māori Affairs select committee which is considering the bill.